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International Student Alumni Success Stories

Vinamarata "Winnie" Kaur

What she is currently doing: Winnie attends graduate school and serves as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Cincinnati on a fully-funded 5-year scholarship while she studies to earn both an MA and a PhD.

How did SUNY Plattsburgh prepare you for your career of choice? “SUNY Plattsburgh helped me embrace feminism and appreciate the cultural diversity that flourished, both on and off-campus. It is because of my Honors seminars and English and Gender & Women's Studies classes that I am pursuing my master's in Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and my doctorate in English & Comparative Literature today.”

What did you like best about SUNY Plattsburgh? “The small campus, the liberal arts and sciences-focused education, and the awesome flexibility of transfer credits from other schools. The ISS office was always helpful when I needed information on anything. Their friendliness and caring personality was what made me choose SUNY Plattsburgh in the first place. Thank you, ISS!”

What advice would you give to future students of SUNY Plattsburgh? “Come with an open heart! You never know what you will graduate in until you have taken all of the classes that interest you. Choose a school that provides affordable and quality education and one that you know fits best with your goals and interests. Finally, I hope you make happy memories at SUNY Plattsburgh...I know I did!”

Hao Jiang

What he is currently doing: Graduate study at Binghamton University for a master’s degree in accounting. After graduation he wants to work in the business field.

How did SUNY Plattsburgh prepare you for your career of choice? “It’s an excellent school to study at, an excellent first step in my future career.”

What did you like best about SUNY Plattsburgh? “It is a small university, has friendly professors, and is a friendly community. You have direct contact with professors. My professors knew all of our names.”

What advice would you give to future students of SUNY Plattsburgh? “Studying at SUNY-Plattsburgh can expand your view of the world. Studying in the United States offers you chances to explore, and that is important.”

Kiryl Montano

What she is currently doing: Kiryl is attending dental school in her home country

How did SUNY Plattsburgh prepare you for your career of choice? “It allowed me to become mature and more independent, and helped me learn to make smart decisions about different challenges. My major included classes that I enjoyed and prepared me for a future career as a dentist.”

What did you like best about SUNY Plattsburgh? “The professors. I learned something from all of the professors I had. They all taught me things that have helped me to move on.”

What advice would you give to future students of SUNY Plattsburgh? “If you come to study here, it will broaden your mind and give you knowledge to live and communicate with people of different backgrounds. I left with so many good memories.”

Natsuki Mikami

What she is currently doing: Natsuki is currently working for a business firm in Tokyo, Japan.

How did SUNY Plattsburgh prepare you for your career of choice? “By studying abroad, I got used to communicating with others. As a business major, I could choose classes based on my interests. My experience especially prepared me for job interviews.”

What did you like best about SUNY Plattsburgh? “I liked the atmosphere, various majors that the school has, and the environment where students come from all over the world. Also, my dream to come to the east coast of the United States came true by choosing to come to SUNY Plattsburgh.”

What advice would you give to future students of SUNY Plattsburgh? “This environment helps you to understand others and introduce your culture. International students on this campus are hard workers and very active. You can easily be part of clubs and organizations.”

Seunghee Park

What she is currently doing: Seunghee is currently interviewing for jobs in the field of hotel management in the United States.

How did SUNY Plattsburgh prepare you for your career of choice? “I interned at the Ritz Carleton in Korea for the summer. Employers are really impressed when they find that out.”

What did you like best about SUNY Plattsburgh? “My major was Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. I wanted to study near a more urban area. SUNY-Plattsburgh’s location is close to Montreal, New York City, and Boston. It’s really good for my major.”

What advice would you give to future students of SUNY Plattsburgh? “I love SUNY Plattsburgh because it’s totally different from other schools. This community, people are really friendly.

K. Don Dasitha Gunaratne

What he is currently doing: Don is a graduate student at Pennsylvania State University.

How did SUNY Plattsburgh prepare you for your career of choice? "I originally came as a Business major but was introduced to a range of fields in my freshman year. Professors and instructors in the Chemistry Department go out of their way to explain concepts and give valuable advice. The Learning Center staff helped me improve my tutoring skills and I still keep in touch with them. Getting involved in student clubs (Asian Club), participating in intramural sports, being a Resident Mentor and a Student Ambassador provided me with a range of experiences that I can draw on when needed."

What did you like best about SUNY Plattsburgh? "I got the advantage of low student to faculty ratios which are helpful when you have questions inside or outside the class. Plattsburgh State has an ideal learning environment where you can find a good balance between nature, friends and coursework. I find it impossible to find one best thing because there are several 'best things' about it."

What advice would you give to future students of SUNY Plattsburgh? "The International Student Services staff are there for you at any given situation. You will come to consider them as a second family (and no, I was not paid to say that!). Once you see the beautiful campus and make a bunch of friends, get ready for some of the best times in your life. You will learn a lot about your chosen field, other people, and most importantly, yourself. Make the most of the diversity of the campus and participate in extracurricular activities. Above all, be willing and open to change and new ideas."

Contact Information

If you have any questions about international education, admission, or financial aid at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:

Global Education OfficeState University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 210
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA